MLB Player News

Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

Ramirez immediately extended a career-best hit streak to 21 games with a run-scoring single in the first inning. He later doubled and scored in the seventh. During the streak, Ramirez is batting .393 (33-for-84) with a 1.100 OPS, eight doubles, one triple, four home runs, 12 RBI, seven walks, six steals and 20 runs.

Jones entered Wednesday's game after left fielder Steven Kwan (wrist) was removed and went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored in a 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

Jones delivered a two-run single as part of the Guardians' five-run uprising in the eighth inning. He's largely scuffled through the first two months of the season, and Wednesday's effort upped his average to .194 with 12 RBI across 50 games. Kwan's injury is described as inflammation, and it's unclear how much time he'll need. Jones is one of several candidates that can fill in at left field, but Kwan could be back following the team's day off Thursday.

Simpson went 1-for-4 with a pair of stolen bases in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Twins.

Simpson's now stolen nine bases in his last 11 games, improving to 16-for-19 in steal attempts this season. The rookie outfielder has also been swinging the bat well, going 17-for-50 (.340) in his last 15 contests. Overall, Simpson is slashing .286/.312/.319 with 11 RBI and 16 runs scored through his first 126 plate appearances this year.

Kirby (0-2) took the loss against Washington on Wednesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kirby was hit hard in the outing -- four of the Nationals' seven hits against him went for extra bases, and three of those left the yard. The right-hander did go a little deeper with five innings after completing just 3.2 frames against Houston in his season debut May 22, but he's struggled in both outings and has now given up 11 runs through 8.2 innings this season. It's understandable that Kirby has some rust after missing nearly the first two months of the season with a shoulder injury, but his return to action has been frustrating for fantasy managers who held onto the hurler throughout his time on the IL. Kirby at least has a promising matchup lined up for him next, as he's tentatively scheduled to face the Orioles, who have scored the seventh-fewest runs in MLB so far this season.

Kikuchi (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Kikuchi struggled with his control throughout the outing, throwing just 51 of 93 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with five free passes -- though two of the walks were intentional (both to Aaron Judge). Still, the veteran hurler was able to mostly avoid damage, as he surrendered just a first-inning run. Kikuchi finished his outing on a high note by retiring the final eight batters he faced, but the Angels were unable to provide him with any run support, resulting in his fifth loss of the season. Despite a 1-5 record, Kikuchi has been solid as the ace of the Angels' staff, allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his past six starts and registering a 3.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 64.2 innings on the campaign.

Leiter notched a save against the Angels on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless and hitless inning.

Closer Luke Weaver was unavailable for a second straight day, and after Devin Williams nearly coughed up a three-run lead while narrowly notching a save Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone went to Leiter in the ninth inning Wednesday with New York clinging to a one-run advantage. Leiter got the job done, working around a two-out walk to record the save while striking out two of the Angels' best hitters (Taylor Ward and Logan O'Hoppe). It was the second save of the season for the right-hander, with his first taking place April 9 versus Detroit. Weaver remains the clear top closer for New York, and Williams figures to be next in line when Weaver is unavailable, so Leiter probably won't have a lot more save chances this season despite his 2.28 ERA and 35:7 K:BB over 23.2 innings on the campaign.

Schmidt (2-2) earned the win over the Angels on Wednesday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out four batters over six scoreless innings.

Schmidt gave up just one extra-base hit (a double) in the outing and racked up 13 whiffs while throwing 69 of 99 pitches for strikes. It was the first time this season that he ended a start without giving up any runs, and the right-hander recorded his fourth quality start across his past five appearances. Schmidt has just two victories through eight outings, but he's pitched decently well with a 3.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB through 43.1 innings.

Dezenzo went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored Wednesday against the Athletics.

The Astros have settled on a primary outfield of Jose Altuve, Jake Meyers and Cam Smith, leaving Dezenzo without regular playing time. He drew only his second start in the last week (seven games) Wednesday, even in the absence of Yordan Alvarez (hand). Dezenzo took advantage of the rare start, tallying his second home run of the season and first multi-hit performance since May 4.

Mahle didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays after allowing four hits and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Mahle's exceptional start to the season continues, as he's now hurled at least six innings while surrendering one run or fewer on seven occasions. While the veteran right-hander has fanned more than five batters just two times this year, he's given up greater than two runs in only one start. Mahle will carry an excellent 1.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 66 innings (12 starts) into a soft matchup slated for next week against the Rays, who have a .661 OPS over their last 30 games.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after allowing no hits and two walks in 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Piggybacking off opener Paxton Schultz, Lauer delivered his second outing of the season with at least three innings while yielding one hit or less. Lauer hasn't worked as a traditional starter for the Blue Jays, as he's made two starts and four relief appearances, but Toronto will likely need the veteran left-hander to help eat innings one way or another until Max Scherzer (thumb) re-enters the rotation. Lauer owns a strong 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he'll have limited fantasy appeal if he's deployed as a bulk reliever his next time out versus a red-hot Phillies offense that's averaging 5.4 runs over their last 28 games.